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CULTURE HISTORY

BATTLE WITH HIGH WATERS NEW EXHIBITION ABOUT POLISH CITIZENS NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE DAY THE FIRST YEAR OF THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU FOUNDATION

no. 18 June 2010 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

EDITORIAL BOARD: Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine EDITORIAL

In the last month we watched with if the water had fl own through the ported to Auschwitz, which will also fear clouded sky and the rising level area of the former Auschwitz II-Birk- present the history of the camp from of rivers around Oświęcim. For the enau camp. Now it’s time for another a local perspective of Oświęcim. fi rst time in many years the Museum struggle—to strengthen and increase You will also fi nd in the magazine was closed to visitors and archives the barriers. Flood is the main theme a story about another seminar “His- and collections had to be moved onto in this issue of the magazine. tories in biographies” at the IYMC, higher levels. The real battle with wa- We write also about the events that whose hero was a former Ausch- Editor: ter took place at the site of Birkenau, took place during the National Day witz prisoner Tadeusz Smreczyński, Paweł Sawicki where water from a nearby river of Remembrance for Victims of Nazi and a story about a meeting in the Editorial secretary: Pławianka almost broke through Concentration Camps, which is on Centre for Dialogue and Prayer, dur- Agnieszka Juskowiak-Sawicka the barrier. Thanks to the efforts of June 14, the anniversary of the depor- ing which for the fi rst time in the Editorial board: hundreds of people—residents, fi re- tation to Auschwitz of the fi rst Polish history of this institution so much at- Bartosz Bartyzel fi ghters and mobilized staff of the political prisoners. We also publish tention was paid to Soviet totalitari- Wiktor Boberek Museum we were able to prevent the an archive material from the fi rst an- anism. Jarek Mensfelt Olga Onyszkiewicz tragedy. The world heritage site and niversary from 1945. In another article Paweł Sawicki Jadwiga Pinderska-Lech the village were saved. It is diffi cult to we describe the plans of a new exhibi- Editor-in-chief Artur Szyndler imagine what would have happened tion on the fate of Polish citizens de- [email protected] Columnist: Mirosław Ganobis Design and layout: Agnieszka Matuła, Grafi kon Translations: David R. Kennedy A GALLERY Proofreading: Beata Kłos OF THE 20TH CENTURY Photographer: Paweł Sawicki Encouraged by the „Oś” magazine to send stories connected with Oświęcim PUBLISHER: years ago, the streets, places or events from his- Auschwitz-Birkenau tory I send a handful of State Museum reflections about the first... gas station in the post- www.auschwitz.org.pl war town and its quite risky—considering today’s standards—location. The PARTNERS: place used by only a few those days was built at the Jewish very heart of the town, at Center the foot of the castle, op- www.ajcf.pl posite to the Haberfeld building so recklessly and culpably lost by the town. It was on the cross- Center for Dialogue roads of Dąbrowskiego and Prayer and Zamkowa streets. A Foundation gas station... maybe it did www.centrum-dialogu.oswiecim.pl not exactly fit the today’s definition of the word. One hand fuel dispenser, couple of barrels around, International Youth a red box of sand, shovel, Meeting Center pole... There were just a few cars in the town at that www.mdsm.pl time, and a lot of horse cars “fueled” with prov- ender. I passed that place IN COOPERATION quite often, walking to WITH: the Fish Square at the end of Zamkowa Street. After Kasztelania the Security Office was moved to Jagiełło Street www.kasztelania.pl our “court” shoemaker, Mr. Nowak, was chased there. After some time, the State Higher Vocational Schoolol petrol station was moved in Oświęcim behind the bridge, at the place of today’s station www.pwsz-oswiecim.pliecim pl opposite the building of music school, before it got Editorial address: its new headquarters at „Oś – Oświęcim, Ludzie, Wysokie Brzegi Street. Historia, Kultura” Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau Andrzej Winogrodzki ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia 20 32-603 Oświęcim e-mail: [email protected] Photo: www.kasztelania.pl Photo from Mirosław Ganobis’s collection “A Gallery of the 20th Century”

151413121110987654321 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010 Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

THE FIRST YEAR OF THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU FOUNDATION

ledges to the Perpetual Fund created by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation already amount to €67 million. This is more than half the amount needed to ensure the fi nanc- ing of the long-term conservation plan for the grounds of the Memorial. The Founda-

P Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel tion Council met for the second time at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in to Prof. Władysław Bartoszewski discuss plans for the immediate future, introduce needed changes to its statute, and pass a and Dr. Piotr M.A. Cywiński motion on the guidelines for investing the assets of the Fund.

Established last year, the have already declared sup- France, Belgium, the United us. It is a place where people important element, more Foundation is tasked with port for the Foundation in States, and Great Britain,” see what National Socialism important than the profi ta- raising €120 million for the the amount of €60 million. said Foundation Director led to, and the condition at bility of the investment. This Fund. The resulting interest “After the signing of the General Jacek Kastelaniec. which humanity could ar- is the beginning of a very income will make it possi- contract, the fi rst payment Museum Director Piotr M.A. rive under the control of the important program. There ble to protect the remains of is planned for 2011. Aus- Cywiński, who is also Presi- Nazi thugs. This Founda- are also measures to ensure the Auschwitz Nazi German tria has pledged €6 mil- dent of the Foundation Man- tion is intended to secure transparency at the highest concentration camp and ex- lion. Smaller amounts have agement Board, said that the its existence in perpetu- level, and there is a whole termination center from the been paid by several other fi rst year’s hard work had ity, so that people can learn monitoring process,” said ravages of time. countries, and advanced already yielded very con- and be convinced of what Committee Chairman Józef The German federal govern- discussions are underway crete results. “The State Mu- humanity is capable of.” Wancer. The changes to the ment and the federal states with countries including seum must now prepare its Archbishop Józef Życiński, statute make the Financial conservation structures to the Metropolitan of Lub- Committee a formal part of absorb a regular income for lin, is of a similar opinion. the Foundation structure. carrying out its overall con- “I support this initiative The court with jurisdiction servation plan. I believe that wholeheartedly,” he said. “If over the Foundation must the fi rst contributions will we erased from history the still approve these changes. arrive in 2012, and that they memory of this tragedy in The work of the Foundation will rise signifi cantly year by which people infl icted such is supported on a pro bono year,” he said. an inhuman fate on others, basis by the law fi rm of Weil, On the idea of establishing it would be a kind of ampu- Gotschal & Manges and, for the Foundation, Noah Flug, tation that would open the tax matters, by the Ernst and chairman of the Center of door to the repetition in fu- Young consulting fi rm. The Organizations of Holocaust ture generations of the dan- Union of Jewish Religious Survivors, declared: “In the gers known from history.“ Communities in the Polish name of the former prison- The meeting approved Republic makes premises ers, I can say that the ex- guidelines for investing the available to the Foundation istence of Auschwitz as a assets of the Fund, as worked in the Jewish Community Museum, as an education out by the Council’s Finan- building in Warsaw. Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel center, and as a Memorial is cial Committee. “The secu- The Foundation Council exceptionally important for rity of the assets is the most Paweł Sawicki WOODEN BARRACKS IN THE HANDS OF A TEAM OF SPECIALISTS

he conservation project is fi nanced by the European Union “Conservation of fi ve wooden barracks of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau” is one of the most important conservation works at the State Museum TAuschwitz-Birkenau. At the moment, work is be- was chipping and falling off. was decided that the founda- project will include the con- wooden barracks of the for- ing performed on barracks Because of their uniqueness, tions would be made of pine. servation of two brick blocks mer Auschwitz II-Birkenau labeled with the numbers they were given special at- They were sealed just like at the Auschwitz I site. These started from work on bar- B-80 and B-171. The goal of tention. Also created were the walls and other wooden are two valuable brick pris- racks numbered B-80 and the conservation is to sta- new, more stable and du- elements. oner housing blocks, almost B-171 in September 2009. bilize the construction, but rable foundations made of Work will continue until Au- untouched since the moment They are continuously tak- also to protect the structures pine. gust of next year. The project the camps were liberated. ing place until today. Only from external factors and the In March, the renovation is fi nanced from the Euro- That is why the works are of- in February, were they put passage of time. A team of of the construction started, pean Program Infrastructure ten extremely time consum- on hold as planned. specialists has analyzed both ensuring the stability of the and Environment. The next ing. The conservation of fi ve Iga Bunalska barracks, created a conserva- barrack. The rotten frag- tion plan, and has chosen the ments of wood were cut out, best chemical protection for and replaced. The tracts of the wood. the roof were also impreg- In January 2010, barrack B-80 nated with chemicals. underwent a renovation In barrack B-171, the conser- of the interior and exterior vation work started in Janu- walls, as well as the walls ary with the doors. All types that separated the rooms of cracks were also strength- of the hospital barrack. The ened. Most of the wooden layers of paint have also elements were destroyed been preserved. They were and needed conservation. Photo: Collections Depatment, quite damaged; the paint Similarly to barrack B-80, it Barrack B-80

151413121110987654321 Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

JUNE 14—NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE DAY

n the name of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, the head of the Research Department, Dr. Piotr Setkiewicz, laid a wreath Iat the Death Wall to mark the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of . On this day seventy years ago, the Nazi Germans deported 728 Polish political prisoners from the prison in Tarnów to the newly founded Auschwitz camp. With former prisoners in at- hatred and human misfor- naked and humiliated. They tendance, the bishop of the tune was set in motion. The suffered and starved. Tor-

Bielsko-Żywiec diocese, Ta- most terrifying page in hu- mented and tortured, they Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel deusz Rakoczy, said mass for man history was turned.” were killed and burned in Mass for the intention of the victims of the Nazi German camps the intention of the victims of “We are gathered together the name of a depraved the Nazi German camps out- today in this place, at this ideology of hatred and con- Commenting on the anniver- “In the popular mind, the side Block 11 at the Ausch- ‘Calvary of our times,’ seven- tempt for humanity [...] This sary of June 14, the historian Auschwitz camp is perceived witz site. He referred to the ty years after the day when place imposes an obligation Piotr Setkiewicz remarked as the site of day’s anniversary in his hom- the fi rst person was mur- on all of us, on all of Europe that “the fi rst transport of of the Jews. However, it is ily, saying that “this was the dered here, to pay tribute to and the world. And this is 728 Polish political prisoners worth noting that, in its fi rst tragic beginning of the Nazi- all of our brothers and sisters an obligation to love, re- arrived at Auschwitz concen- years, it served above all planned decisive phase of the who were brought here in member, and bear witness to tration camp 70 years ago. as a place for the extermi- extermination of some of the inhuman conditions. They the Holocaust. In the name Several days later, there was nation of the Polish intelli- world’s peoples—above all were torn away from their of this, we are all present a transport from the prison in gentsia,” Setkiewicz noted. the Jews, Poles, and Roma. loved ones by force. They here today,” said Bishop Wiśnicz Nowy, followed by To mark Remembrance Day, A monstrous mechanism of experienced being stripped Rakoczy. a transport from Silesia and the Museum announced the large Warsaw transports. that work was underway A transport of 728 Poles from the prison in Tarnów arrived in Auschwitz on June 14, Despite the exceptionally on a new Polish exhibition 1940. Among them were veterans of the September 1939 campaign, members of under- high death rate in the camp devoted to the fate of ap- ground independence groups, high-school and university students, and a small group and despite all the obstacles, proximately 450,000 Polish of Polish Jews. They received numbers 31 to 758 and were housed for the quarantine pe- many of the prisoners trans- citizens—Poles and Polish riod in the old Polish Tobacco Monopoly building, adjacent to the present-day grounds ported in that fi rst phase of Jews—who were deported to of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum (the fi rst camp numbers were given to Ger- the existence of Auschwitz Auschwitz. It will be located man criminal prisoners who had arrived earlier to take up functionary or trusty posts). managed to survive until the in block 15 on the grounds of Out of the 728 prisoners who arrived at Auschwitz on June 14, 1940, 298 survived the evacuation of the camp in Auschwitz I. war and 272 died; the fate of 158 is unknown. January 1945,” he said. Bartosz Bartyzel

NEW EXHIBITION ABOUT POLISH CITIZENS WILL BE CREATED IN AUSCHWITZ

new exhibition in block 15 at the Auschwitz I site will present the fate of more than 450,000 Polish citizens—Poles and Pol- ish Jews—deported to the Auschwitz Nazi German concen- Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki A Exhibition in block 15 today tration camp and extermination center. The exhibition will focus on The exhibition will consist ance movement. It will also civilians in the areas around thetic rubber and liquid fuel the story of the Polish victims of two parts: take account of the German Auschwitz—especially the plants. of the camp and recount its The ground fl oor of block 15 plans for rebuilding the city, specialists overseeing the Another theme of the exhibi- history from the local per- will be dedicated to the fate the existence of a complex of construction, relying primar- tion will be aid to prisoners spective of the Oświęcim area, of Poles and Polish Jews sent labor camps in the suburbs, ily on Auschwitz prisoner by local residents. “This took including aid to prisoners by to the camp by the Germans. and the presence of German labor, of the IG Farben syn- highly varied forms, from local residents. The author “Auschwitz is the largest of the scenario is Mirosław Polish cemetery,” said Ob- The Germans sent approximately 450,000 Poles and Polish Jews to Auschwitz from Obstarczyk, a historian and starczyk. “As part of their 1940 to 1945. highly experienced custodian repressive occupation policy, About 150,000 Poles were sent to Auschwitz as part of the repressive German occupation in the Exhibition Department the Nazis deported about policy in the country. Aside from those who violated or were suspected of violating the oc- at the Museum. 450,000 Polish citizens here— cupation regulations or who joined the resistance movement, those confi ned to the camp also about 300,000 Polish Jews included people who belonged to the prewar leadership stratum thanks to their education, and about 150,000 Poles.” work, or public position. They included government offi cials, politicians, teachers, doctors, Upstairs, there will be a new military offi cers, and clergy. It is estimated that at least half of them died as a result of starva- exhibition presenting the his- tion, beatings, inhuman conditions, sickness, hard labor, or executions. From the beginning, tory of the Auschwitz camp all transports included people from national and ethnic minorities, and especially Jews, who from the immediate local made up about ten percent of the prewar population. perspective. Among other About 300,000 Polish Jews were deported to Auschwitz within the framework of the so-called things, it will tell about the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question,” or the destruction of the European Jews. Mass trans- resettlement of civilians that ports began in May 1942, when approximately 35,000 Jews were deported to Auschwitz from accompanied the building the southwest part of prewar . Later, between November 1942 and February 1943, and expansion of the whole transports began arriving from the northeastern regions. About 30,000 Jews from the ghettos Auschwitz complex, repres- in Sosnowiec and Będzin were deported in August 1943, and 60,000 to 70,000 Jews from the Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki sion measures against the Mirosław Obstarczyk Łódź ghetto arrived in Auschwitz in August 1944. The majority of them were murdered in the local population, and the gas chambers immediately after arrival. in front of block 15 activities of the local resist-

151413121110987654321 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010 Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

the illegal supply of food and who risked their lives in the for the new main exhibition Vashem Institute in Jerusa- world visit the Memorial. medicine, through delivering effort to alleviate the suffer- is in development. A big in- lem is handling the replace- I hope that visitors will be correspondence, all the way ing of the prisoners.” The ternational competition for ment of the Jewish exhibi- able to see the new exhibition up to organizing escapes,” exhibition will also provide the accompanying visual tion, and part of the new within three years.” says Obstarczyk. “The Mu- basic information on the way concept should begin this Russian exhibition opened The new exhibition is a re- seum has already published World War II unfolded in Po- year. Work is continuing on a on January 27. Work is also placement for The Struggle People of Good Will, edited land, and the specifi c nature new introductory exhibit and continuing on several other and Martyrdom of the Pol- by Dr. Henryk Świebocki, of the occupation regime in an exhibition of camp art. exhibitions, and the Polish ish Nation in the Years 1939- which contains biographical the country. “The so-called national exhi- exhibition is now one of the 1945, which was opened 25 sketches of over 1,200 people The project is part of larger bitions at the Memorial have oldest ones left. It is essen- years ago in block 15 at the who took part in the aid ef- changes now underway in been replaced successively tial to replace it, especially Auschwitz I site. fort. This is only a subset of the exhibition at the Ausch- over the last few years,” since hundreds of thousands a far larger group of people witz Memorial. The scenario says Obstarczyk. “The Yad of people from all over the Paweł Sawicki FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CAMP FOUNDING IN ARCHIVAL TESTIMONIES n June 14, 1940, German authorities sent the Polish political prisoners from the prison in Tarnów to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. There were 728 of them. This event has been accepted as the start of Othe camp’s operation. The fi rst ceremony, took place on Sunday, June 17, 1945, commemorating this fact. The organizers—the Coun- to go on as follows: in connec- cil of the Polish Society of tion with the fi fth anniversary Former Political Prisoners, of the camp’s existence and the Union of Fighting Youth arrival of the fi rst 750 prison- (ZWM), and the Oświęcim ers from Tarnów on June 14, city authorities—counted on 1940, there was to be a com- the arrival of many more par- memorative ceremony, after ticipants than during a work- which there was to be a tour ing day, and it was on such a of the Auschwitz camp. day that this anniversary was At 10:00 there was a gather- commemorated. Delegations ing of all the local army units, from various organizations various local organizations, came to the ceremony, mainly delegates and participants, from the Kraków and Silesian from various places in Po- provinces, among them were land as well as from abroad, also Jewish organizations. on Kościuszko Square in At the Jewish Historical In- Oświęcim. After forming a stitute in Warsaw, there is a long and numerous group report* (fond CŻKH 387, pp that included standard-bear- 10, 10a) written for the Jew- ers, the procession set off past ish Historical Comission in the throngs of onlookers to

Sosnowiec by Adela Laufer, a the sound of the military, rail- Photo: A-BSM archive participant of the commemo- way, and fi re department or- Prisoners from the fi rst transport to Auschwitz at the Tarnów train station ration. The author, writing chestras in the direction of the her report on July 23, a few former concentration camp Following the ceremonial guide [a former prisoner] that ment bunkers. The grim wall days after the ceremony, gave in Oświęcim. On the fi elds speeches and applause, the these pretty houses were a between these two blocks was a detailed description of what in Oświęcim large groups of podium was taken by a rep- place of tragedy for so many a reminder of the huge num- happened and added her im- people from all over Poland resentative of the city ad- human beings. We were led bers of innocent martyrs shot pressions of the tour that day had gathered to take part in ministration [Mayor Marcin around the camp; the crema- here, other than that, all traces of the main camp—although the mournful commemora- Krzemień]; after that, speech- toria with gas chambers were of crimes were already long it would be better to say, tions. es by the offi cers of the Rus- destroyed by the occupiers erased. looking in from the outside, At 11:00, there was an open air sian [Lent Michajlenko] and [speaking here about the four As it turned out, there was because it was closed to the Mass and memorial service Polish [Lent Adam] Armies crematoria in Birkenau, while no execution in the program, public. In April, on the site for the souls of the prisoners, took place as well as those of in the main camp there was moreover that of Schwarz, of the former main camp the who, in this place of horror members and representatives only one—which is referred who had long ago been cap- command of the Red Army and crime were murdered. of various parties and organi- to next], while one cremato- tured and shot [in fact, he opened a transit camp for This same priest, then gave a zations [among them, former rium with a re- was arrested in France, sen- German prisoners of war, and fairly long speech [in fact the prisoners: Juliusz Ganszera— mains as a memorial of Ger- tenced during the trial of the at the end of May it was com- sermon was said by Father president of the Polish Society manic culture. Natzweiler garrison, and shot pletely closed to the Poles. Augustyn Mańkowski, and of Former Political Prisoners Already in October 1944 March 20, 1947]. the Mass was led by Father in Krakow, Alfred Fiderkie- [actually at the beginning We also learned that […] the Below extensive fragments of Jan Skarbek] in which, as a wicz—director of the Main of November], in connec- main part of the massacre the report are presented. former prisoner, he described Commission for Investigation tion with the uprising of the and barbarism took place the life and torment of prison- of German Crimes]. Sonderkommando, in which in Birkenau, several kilom- Report about visit to ers in concentration camps, After playing the national an- several hundred prisoners eters away from the camp in Oświęcim on June 17, 1945. mentioned the names of those thems of both allied countries were killed on the orders of Oświęcim. […] On June 17, 1945, in connec- murdered among which as well as ovations in honor the Reichsführer SS in , However, there was not tion in connection with the were more important indi- of the Red Army and Polish the gassings ended. enough time to visit the oth- announced and supposedly viduals and stressed that the Army, it was time to proceed Not all of the blocks could be er branches of Auschwitz, happening execution of the joint pain, commonly shed to the next point of the cer- visited because some were which due to their size and former Lagerkommendant of the blood of innocent victims emony, namely, to visit the used to hold German prison- equipment tell us and betray the Auschwitz Concentration who were murdered without camp. ers of war […]. From a dis- much more even today. Camp [actually Auschwitz distinction of religion or na- The camp in Oświęcim, beau- tance, we were shown the Adela Laufer III—correction by editors] of tionality should not be forgot- tifully built with two story so-called experimental block [Heinrich] Schwarz, I traveled ten by Poles, who, using their blocks, gives the impression 10, in which various research *The editors would like to to Oświęcim with the intent combined forces in love, jus- of a small modern town. In was done on reproductive thank Dr. Andrzej Strzelecki, to take part in the ceremony tice, and harmony destroyed disbelief we simply listened organs of young and healthy who found the report during connected with this. all leftovers of evil, crime and to the explanations of our women, as well as block 11 research at the JHI and made The anticipated program was Nazi barbarism. that had the infamous punish- it available for print.

151413121110987654321 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

WATER THREATENED EVERYTHING

he May fl oods that touched a large part of Poland, including the Oświęcim District, also directly threat- ened the Auschwitz Memorial Site. Never before in history, have the Soła and Vistula Rivers fl owing near Tthe Museum presented such a great threat. Several minutes and the lack of only a few centimeters of water averted the tragedy. Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel

Flood Alarm as to safeguard collections, priceless original collection camp, threatening fl ooding of was possible to save the local archives, and specialized of artifacts and documents both the site and large areas homes and relics of the Me- The fi rst direct threat was equipment including that in would be safe. of the village of Brzezinka as morial Site. on May 18. Due to the many the conservation laboratories. well a part of Babice. days of intensive rainfall Due to the high level of the Breached Levees The normalization of the the site of the former Nazi Soła River that fl ows next to In view of the persistence of situation on the River Soła, German Concentration and Auschwitz I, a so-called “in- A key moment was May 19. very high water level and the allowed the Museum to par- Death Camp of Auschwitz- ternal evacuation” of valu- Even though the direct threat risk that the last line of protec- tially open to visitors on May Birkenau found itself in the able historical objects and to the site of Auschwitz I was tion would be breached, sev- 20. At fi rst, the only sites ac- area threatened by fl ood- archival documents held on lessened, the situation around eral hundred people, includ- cessible were Auschwitz I ing, which on the same day the ground fl oors of the for- Birkenau became critical. ing fi refi ghters, the residents and a small part of the former also affected Oświęcim and mer camp buildings was an- At night, the high waters of of the village of Brzezinka, Birkenau Camp, which was its surroundings, among nounced. They were moved the Vistula River led to a so- and Museum staff strength- closed due to its extensive them, Babice, Brzezinka and to higher stories of the build- called backup of water in the ened and raised the crown fl ooding. Brzeszcze. ings and further secured. This Pławianka stream fl owing in of the embankments, pil- allowed for the certainty that the vicinity of the Birkenau ing thousands of sandbags. Effects of the Flood After raising the fl ood alarm even if the Soła breached its camp. The fl ood wave came Thanks to this enormous un- it was decided to close the levee and water would fl ood within several hundred me- dertaking, keeping the water The effects of the recent fl ood Museum for visitors, as well the site of the Memorial, the ters of the western edge of the between the embankments, it are still being assessed. In Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki

1413121110987654321 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

AN APPEAL ABOUT THE FLOOD FROM INTERNATIONAL AUSCHWITZ COUNCIL TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

In May 2010, waters fl owing in the Vistula and Soła Rivers seriously threatened the largest Memorial Site in Europe. The ruins of the of the Nazi German Concentration and Death Camps of Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau lay where the perpetrators left them—on the fl oodplains of the two rivers. Today, an unparalleled international effort is being undertaken to guarantee the best preserve of the authenticity of this powerful site. At the same time, due to objections raised by ecologists several years ago, work on a system of fl ood barriers along the rivers next to the former camps have been halted.

We appeal for the quickest possible, prioritized resumption of this work, to raise, strengthen and lengthen the levees, after this year’s experience, on the Soła, Vistula and its tributary, the Pławianka. A basic sensitivity commands the irrefutable domi- nance of a unquestionable supremacy of the good, which—in spite of any kinds of fl ora and fauna found in the vicinity—represents a unparalleled legacy of humanity’s most tragic moments—the appeal reads.

The council would like to thank all those people who, through tremendous personal involvement during the fl ood, saved this Memorial Site from irreparable damage. Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel several of the buildings at to cost tens of thousands of the Auschwitz I site, severe Polish Złoty. leaks in the roofs had been DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE found. Much of the Birkenau The International Ausch- AND NATIONAL HERITAGE site was under standing fl ood witz Council on the Flood ON THE FLOOD SITUATION or rainwater, ranging from a few to a few dozen centim- Several days after the fl ood, AT THE AUSCHWITZ MEMORIAL eters. The ground was and the International Auschwitz still is quite saturated with Council—a consultative bo- water, which surely has a dy to the Prime Minister of he guest of the International Auschwitz Council was Dep- further erosive effect on the Poland—took up the matter uty Minister Piotr Żuchowski, who visited the site of the former camp’s brick build- of the high waters as well as former camp Auschwitz II-Birkenau, to acquaint himself ings, whose foundations are securing the Memorial Site T with the state of the Memorial Site after the fl ood danger had not secure enough in the soft before them. Reporting on ground. All structures that events of the last several days, passed. This is what he said about the need to protect the Me- have cellars were fl ooded. It the director of the Museum, morial Site: will only be possible to calcu- Dr. Piotr M.A. Cywiński, em- late total losses after ground phasized: “Generally speak- Museum Director Piotr Cywiński kept the ministry continuously informed about the waters recede. ing, only a few minutes and a situation at Birkenau. Today I saw the situation at the site, and I heard about, how few centimeters were enough Museum staff and the local citizens were protecting the levees so that the Memorial However, already a pre- to avert a tragedy. The sec- Site would not be fl ooded. This was very moving. I would like to sincerely thank all liminary evaluation of losses tion of levees on the Vis- those who stood on the levees and put the sand bags in place. If there had not been from the fl ood has shown tula River behind the former so many of them, it would be diffi cult to imagine what could have happened. It could that the most severe damage Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp have been all turned into a ruin, but we managed to save this place. I am absolutely is to the heat pumps in the is the lowest on a several kil- certain that this was possible because of the determination of all these people, who former camp bathhouse, the ometer stretch. Changing this I would like to once again genuinely thank. However, in the future we defi nitely so-called Sauna in Birkenau. situation requires quick deci- need to talk with those who decided not to raise the levees in this area to a normal Most likely the entire system sions and action—the levees height. Minister of Cultural Heritage will ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs and has to be replaced, which will must be strengthened, raised Administration and the Governor of Małopolska to normalize the situation when cost around 900 thousand and modernized.” such a danger is not present. It is really unthinkable that the value that is in no way PLN. Also, one of the roofs measurable—because, this is the way that I see the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum— at the former Auschwitz I In a report to the Council can be contested by ecologists who speak about important issues, but in this axiology site (block 28) needs a gen- about the Museum’s last six we must choose what is most important. I do not have the slightest doubt that it is eral restoration (cost of about months, Director Cywiński most important to safeguard the Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau from fl ooding. 950 thousand PLN). Other, said, among others, that the smaller repairs are estimated fl ood mainly threatened the About the Auschwitz Memorial: The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is an extraordinary place in the realm of world heritage. This place is a living memory of a time as well as activities, thinking, and strategies of human beings that should never again be repeated. The Museum has a completely unique dimension. A visit to the site is a deeply moving experience, which brings us back to basic human values and the words which were once said, “Let our fate be a warning to you, not a legend” are a call to us and future genera- tions. This extraordinary place is within the borders of Poland, but in reality, it be- longs to the whole world.

About the International Auschwitz Council:

This international body has been functioning for 20 years. For us, Poles, the specifi c mission is to protect this place and make it publicly available, to keep it alive in our memory and that of generations to come. The International Auschwitz Council is the opportunity that opinions about how the Museum should function can be shared in an absolutely honest and open way, in some way to forecast the future and create a strategy for this place. I think that this is a superb solution and the representatives who make up the Council are full of acknowledgement that this body is becoming a kind of council of wise elders for those who are responsible for the Auschwitz- Birkenau Museum; to keep the site’s power and so that it is properly structured in the realm of education and heritage. Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki

1413121110987654321 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

THINKING ABOUT PEOPLE AND SAVING THE SITE

AN INTERVIEW WITH ANDRZEJ BIBRZYCKI, REPRESENTATIVE OF VILLAGES IN THE OŚWIĘCIM COMMUNITY

ward side. This place is a road to reach it for re- Several weeks ago we Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki met on the levees in quite delicate, but luckily pairs. The entire area of Brzezinka. Local resi- nothing more happened. investment has not been site of the former Auschwitz with this opinion. – “We dents, the fi re depart- At a certain moment we fi nished and raising the II-Birkenau camp and that must, fi rst of all, learn from ment as well as Museum warned the local inhabit- levees was halted follow- Museum staff were able to what has happened. There staff were there. What ants about the possibility ing protests by the Society secure the last levee, sav- need to be such levees and happened that day? How of an evacuation. This af- for the Earth. The whole ing their homes and former protection, so that this place large was the danger? fected the areas near the argument was about the camp relics. A breach in the can truly be safe,” he em- The danger that occurred Vistula—from Broszko- cutting out of trees and levee would have turned the wice to Brzezinka. It was plants called caltrop. We phasized. Former Ausch- on the Pławianka that day existing barracks to complete witz prisoner, Kazimierz was something that I can- not yet a real evacuation, had many meetings, in- not remember happening but we warned people to cluding with the envi- ruins. “With a tremendous Albin, also emphasized that previously. Because the be ready. ronmental conservator. It amount of work, we were such a situation cannot repeat Vistula backed up into What water was endan- seemed that afterwards, able to secure the levee, but itself: ”This is a one of a kind Pławianka, it overfl owed gering the levees at that everything was fi ne, that the tragedy was barely avert- place on Earth. The evidence the levees. This did not time? their demands were met. ed. We are not prepared to of this is the enormous num- happen on such a scale This was a back-up of wa- However, after we made protect this site properly if the ber of visitors, 1.3 million during the fl ood of 1997, ter from the Vistula and our decision there was levees are not strengthened.” individuals from over 100 or ever before. It has to be partially the water from protest after protest. countries, and this must not stressed that during this the Pławianka. This small Not long ago, after the Guest at the Council meet- be taken for granted.” fl ood, there were many river carries some of the meeting of the Interna- ings Piotr Żuchowski, Dep- phenomena that were dif- water from the Harmęze tional Auschwitz Coun- uty Minister of Culture and The members of the Council ferent than those during ponds and from Rajsko. cil, the Prime Minister National Heritage, said after were unanimous in their ap- the hundred-year fl ood. There was no breach of of Poland received an seeing the Birkenau site that peal to the Prime Minister of At a critical moment, the levee anywhere on the appeal about properly the Ministry will ask the Poland to raise, strengthen about which we speak, Vistula. However, never protecting this site. Here Ministry of Internal Affairs and lengthen the levees on the water was pouring before has something like the interests of the Muse- and Administration and the the Soła, Vistula and its tribu- over the levee on a length this happened, that the um and local community Governor of Małopolska to tributaries carried such an are common. This is, of tary, the Pławianka. of 150 to 200 meters. I have normalize the situation. “We A basic sensitivity commands not seen anything like this amount of water. course, one levee, a sin- ever happen before. Three What was the problem in gle means of protection. certainly have to speak with the irrefutable dominance of hundred people came in a that area? Yes, certainly. I think that those who made the decision an unquestionable suprem- very short amount of time On the Silesia side, the lev- the appeal of the Council not to raise the levees in this acy of the good, which—in to help. After contacting ees are half a meter higher is an important thing. It place to a normal height,” he spite of any kinds of fl ora and the local administration, than on our side. After the is an international body said. fauna found in the vicinity— we immediately had sand 1997 fl ood, all the levees and consultative organ of represents a unparalleled and bags. The operation on that side were raised. the Prime Minister of Po- Jacek Nowakowski, of the legacy of humanity’s most was made more compli- I don’t want to be an an- land. I hope that this ap- Holocaust Memorial Mu- tragic moments—the appeal cated because traveling tagonist to environmen- peal will have the desired seum in Washington, agreed reads. to this place, a diffi cult to tal societies, who have a effect. Bartosz Bartyzel reach area, was challeng- very important role, but At what stage is the in- ing, with the standing wa- in certain cases they act vestment currently? ter in the meadows. We in an absurd fashion. At We issued a decision on got to that area through least out of decency they cutting down trees, which the Museum site, which should have come to the allows access to this in- made it very quick for us levees and put down vestment. Society for to reach the point of the some sandbags. Unfor- the Earth protested that operation. tunately, on our side, be- decision. If Administra- What would have hap- cause of this resistance, tive Court supports of pened if the levee with the work on a 700-meter the decision of the Col- the overfl owing water segment that should have lege that rejected the would have been dam- been done was not com- protest, then our decision aged and breached? pleted. Most importantly, will be upheld. Then the Had the levee not been money was available for Małopolska Drainage bravely raised, then a this! On the other side of Administration will have large portion of the Mu- the river, the work could the right to enter the area seum along with the so- be carried out. Moreo- and do further work. So, called Suana building ver, this is the same area, optimistically we can as- would have been fl ooded. the same old riverbed of sume that by the end of The water would have the Vistula. There must the year we will have all most likely then gone in be some consistency. the formalities taken care the direction of the vil- Which stretch of of and work will begin. lage, toward Wiślana levees are we talking I think that here, there Street and fl owed into about at the moment? should not be a problem Babice. I do not even We are talking about the with money because it is want to say what would stretch of the levee on not a large amount and have been then. But we the Pławianka more or thinking about people and made it. less from the lock at the protecting the site, about Was there any other intersection of the streets which we are speaking, place in the area where Podwale with Leśna, in should not be a problem. the danger was so great? other words the border I hope that after all that The situation was similar of Brzezinka and Babice. has happened, ecologists in Babice, where a part of There was the need to cut will also look at this situ- the levee had collapsed out a row of trees from riv- ation differently. —a several kilometer erside, which was to serve stretch from the wind- to widen the levee and as Interview by: Bartosz Bartyzel Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki

1413121110987654321 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

IN REALITY, WE WERE ALL FIGHTING FOR THE SAME THING

AN INTERVIEW WITH CONSERVATOR AND ONE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTORS OF THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM, RAFAŁ PIÓRO.

raised quickly, where ruins. It seems that this ing to collapse. Even they were lower than lastest step, securing the if the restoration work the rest of the levees in structures that included will be done, even if the their vicinity. That is micropiles, saved them very structure will be where there was a threat from collapsing due to secured, fl ooding may of the waters overfl ow- the softened earth. lead to the destruction of ing, so together: locals the barracks. It doesn’t from nearby villages Why was—and still is— matter what kind of con- and neighborhoods, the the source of the danger servation work will be Volunteer and State Fire the inadequate levees done under the program Brigade as well as men for the protection of the Perpetual Fund of the who work at the Muse- site? Auschwitz--Birkenau

Photo: Pawe ł Sawicki um raised the levees and Foundation, securing reinforced them success- In 1997, such a situation the site against fl ooding Several days ago a fl ood did we want to risk and fully. Floodwaters over- during the fl ood did not is necessary. alarm was announced put them into any sort of -fl owing the levees exist. In my opinion, fol- in the Oświęcim area. danger. Of course when could have led to their lowing this fl ood the way We can assume that in What was the risk to the the moment a levee breach and the fl ooding this problem is looked at the future the fl ood can Auschwitz Museum at breaks, the fl ow of wa- of the terrain. It is dif- must be changed. On the last longer. Then the that time? ter is so great and so fast fi cult to say how high Soła River, it was possi- levees soften making that for the most part it is the water level would ble to raise the levees in it much easier for any The fl ood alarm as well too late to take any kind have been as well as the the right places. Howev- kind of breach to occur. as information that lo- of action. scale of destruction, but er, in Brzezinka, no such Each new fl ood brings cal authorities provided Secondly, if it had come you just have to look at work took place on the new information and a was enough to gather to a fl ooding, then there the places where this back protection levee. review has to be done as that the danger was very would have been the happened and see what The main problem here to what has been done real and that steps had need to take care of peo- it meant for a levee to is protests by ecologists. up to this point. This is to be taken to secure the ple, their safety, and not break. If the bags of sand a good time. The years area. Of course, from the the items. Those work- had not been laid, then In what way can we 1997-2010 were a time moment the alarm was ing at the Museum are water would have cer- prepare for the future, when some of the work announced, night shifts people mainly from tainly gone over them. so that such a situation was done. But, as I’ve to continuously moni- Oświęcim and the sur- does not repeat itself? said about Brzezinka, tor the level of the Soła, rounding towns. Dur- The water level has up until now there has Vistula, and Pławianka ing the danger, after the fallen. The evaluation Of course, we must been practically—main- rivers were organized. evacuation, they had of the destruction and check the state of the ly outside the Museum Also, independent of the opportunity to take damage has begun. levees after the fl ood. site—no work done. All the information we had care of their families and What is their scale? I think that the situ- around there has—but from the local authori- property, which, as we ation in Oświęcim is there, none. ties we continued to know, was endangered Luckily, at the Ausch- good. It is obvious that monitor. in many places. witz I Museum site, the strengthening of We have been talking other than some minor levees on the Soła gave the entire time about Which parts of the Mu- fl ooding and leaky roofs, the desired effect. How- the Museum. However, In what way did the seum were endangered nothing more happened ever, when it comes to the local population Museum prepare itself the most? How great and none of the build- Brzezinka, we all agree battled the fl ood on the for an eventual fl ood? was the danger and ings were greatly dam- —at least all those who levees. How was it secured? what would have hap- aged. worked at repairing and pened had the water In Brzezinka, the situa- raising the back protec- We consider everything We have many histori- breached the levees? tion was much worse. tion levee—that the lev- that happened in the cal items on display and The level of the Vistula ees between the Vistula context of the Museum. in our collection, so we When it comes to Birk- was much higher and, and Pławianka should That’s what we are here could not allow our- enau, the greatest dan- decidedly, it rose fast- be raised. If we do not for—it is our job. It is im- selves to wait until the ger was, above all, to er. Other than that, do this, and it comes to portant to emphasize the danger would be very the buildings that are we also have the river the breaching of the lev- coordinated work of: the close. In accordance to left in the worse shape— Pławianka, which fl ows ees, then not only the local administrators and internal regulations in buildings constructed to into the Vistula and if Museum site, but also inhabitants of Brzezin- Auschwitz I we evacu- be temporary and their the level of the Vistula local villiages will be ka, Pławy and Babice, ated original historical fl ooding could have led rises, then we quickly fl ooded. Other than rais- as well as the volunteer items from the fi rst to to their collapse and the have the situation of, the ing the levees on the Vis- and professional fi re the second fl oor of the destruction of the relics so-called, backfl ow into tula, work should also brigades and Museum buildings. However, of the former camp. the Pławianka. Unfor- be done to secure the workers. Of course, this when it came to Birk- Most important was the tunately, rainwater was Pławianka. was the simultaneous enau, all original items, fact that the embank- added to this. Hence, The brick barracks, securing of the Museum which were found there, ments, which safeguard fl ooding of land by rain- whose walls have the as well as the local vil- were either evacuated or the site and the drainage water and the resulting thickness of half a brick lages. In reality, we were put higher, so even if it ditches on the terrain stagnant water fl ooded and the mortar used all fi ghting for the same would have come to a of the Museum, were the areas around the to build this weak con- thing—securing the fl ood on site, they would protecting against the buildings and the ru- struction is lime mor- site against water and not have been directly fl oodwaters. For a time, ins of the gas chambers tar, are in very bad fl ooding. And today we fl ooded. the situation on the back and crematoria, located shape. If it would come have the opportunity to That to this we had protection levee of the below ground level. For- to the fl ooding of that do specifi c work, which constant certainty, that Vistula River was quite tunately there has been site, most probably this hasn’t been done up to these items were con- perilous. It turned out ongoing work since 2004 mortar would wash now. stantly safe. In no way that the levees had to be on the protection of these out causing the build- Paweł Sawicki

1413121110987654321 15 International Youth Meeting Center Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

A CELLULOID MONUMENT

“HISTORIES IN BIOGRAPHIES”—TADEUSZ SMRECZYŃSKI

rom the 9th to the 15th of May 2010, at the International Youth Meeting Center in Oświęcim, the third seminar entitled “His- Ftories in Biographies” took place. During workshops lasting a week, young people from Poland and Germany met to immor- talize on celluloid, under the watchful eye of an educator from the IYMC and an artist from Berlin, the reminiscences of Tadeusz Smreczyński—a former prisoner of the Nazi German concentration camp of Auschwitz.

It is like a race against time, For this reason, the start- who was arrested by the because every year there are ing point for work on the Gestapo at the end of 1943. less eyewitnesses of those fi lm was the cooperative Later, from May 26, 1944, he events. Finally, the last voice German-Polish work on the was held in the Mysłowice of a living history will go si- screenplay, questions for prison before the summary lent. Those featured in our Tadeusz Smreczyński, se- court sentenced him to be series of documentary fi lms lection of photographs car- jailed in block 11 in Ausch- are witnesses of a horrify- rying certain impressions witz. ing crime against humanity, and feelings, and fi nally as- who having experienced it sembling the various scenes The fi rst meeting with Ta- fi rst hand, have spent the that have been chosen and deusz Smreczyński was last decades warning us fi lmed in three Polish-Ger- held in the auditorium of about it. To immortalize man groups. Similar work the venerable in the Polonia their warning and so that was done during the last House in Krakow. The next their message will remain two seminars dedicated day he visited the IYMC. alive forever, young people to the biography of Józef In Oświęcim young people meet in Oświęcim in order to Paczyński (2008) and Zofi a in a German-Polish team build a memorial to them—a Łyś (2009). fi lmed an interview, using celluloid memorial. This is a self-created guide. It was not, however, a normal doc- Thanks to this testimony, the developed on the basis of umentary fi lm. The young touching meeting with the their experience after the people have unlimited free- great man that is Tadeusz fi rst conversation with Mr. dom and artistic support in Smreczyński were possible. Smreczyński. creating the screenplay to To start, the seminar group At the end, there was a make a fi lm that is free of visited the Auschwitz-Birk- review of video footage prejudice and stereotypes enau Memorial Site, and and discussion about the and to produce it in such focused mainly on block 11, scenes and interviews that

a way that it will reach the referring to the biography are particularly important Photo: Private archive hearts of their peers. of Tadeusz Smreczyński, for young people as well A photo from Tadeusz Smreczyński’s family album Photo: IYMC Tadeusz Smreczyński at the meeting with the youth

151413121110987654321 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010 International Youth Meeting Center Photo: IYMC Tadeusz Smreczyński as those that should be in- ences, memories, but also by the confronting the his- centration camp. A deciding phies” created from 2008 to cluded in the fi fteen-minute his thoughts and refl ections, tory of witnesses—as well role was therefore played by 2010, is planned for the sum- fi lm. The meeting, and espe- not only from his time in the as their biography, just as time and the support pro- mer. The fi lms will be on a cially the words of Tadeusz camp, but also those of his the historical context. It is vided by the group leaders, single DVD, together with Smreczyński, deeply moved childhood and the present. equally important to review who allowed the breaking additional material and ex- the young people. The em- It is diffi cult to answer the fi rst meeting and create a of psychological barriers planations, which hopefully pathy that he showed them, questions that deal with place for the participants to and helped the young peo- will lead to further such pro- made a great impression on painful moments and the refl ect and to create a proper ple fi nd words and pictures jects. all those present, because past, which comes back as atmosphere for work. For that bring forth questions they were allowed to eve- a shadow before their eyes. most participants of the sem- of many young souls. The Anna Meier ryone to personally expe- The seminar showed what inar, this was the fi rst meet- publication of all three fi lms, Translated from German: rience his terrible experi- an enormous role is played ing with a survivor of a con- entitled “Histories in Biogra- Sławomir Koper

TADEUSZ SMRECZYŃSKI

Born in 1924 in Zator, near Oświęcim. His grandfather and later father were the town’s mayors. Tadeusz attended the Konarski Gimnazjum in Oświęcim, and later moved to Kra- kow. During the occupation he was deported for forced labor to Saxony. He managed to escape from there and after spending half a year studying at the Nowodworski Gimnazjum in Krakow, he returned to his hometown. There, he took up helping those crossing the border of the and he also distributed underground newspapers. At the end of 1943 he was arrested, held in the Mysłowice prison, and in May of 1944 he was deported to Auschwitz. The summary court sentenced him to imprisonment in the camp. He was put into the work units building bomb shelters, later laying cobblestones and digging ditches along the Vistula River. In July, he was transported to Mauthausen where he worked in a metallurgical plant in Linz. After the war he returned to Poland and fi nished school at the Oświęcim Gimnazjum Photo: IYMC and graduated with a degree in medicine in Krakow. Editing the fi lm about Tadeusz Smreczyński

151413121110987654321 International Youth Meeting Center Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

GENOCIDE IN THE PAST AND PRESENT: AUSCHWITZ AND RWANDA

EXAMPLES OF RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS AND INDIVIDUAL HEROISM. A WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE VISITING THE IYMC ON STUDY TRIPS.

n 1994, a confl ict in Rwanda took place that was one of the most tragic chapters in the history of not only Afri- ca, but also the world. During the time span of 100 days, almost one million people were murdered. Extremist IHutus killed Tutsis in cold blood, often their neighbors and family members. The world watched the shocking mass murder with indifference.

March 26, 2004, during a fairs or watched the news on The workshop is conducted are capable of heroic deeds. sonal involvement in or- conference commemorat- television, day after sickening on the basis of fi lm entitled: During group work we ask dinary situations in every- ing the mass murder in day, could deny that they knew “Hotel Rwanda” to intro- about the role that indi- day life, can do quite a lot, Rwanda, organized by the a genocide was happening, and duce the young people to viduals, presented in the consciously defending the governments of Canada that it was happening on an ap- the historical events that fi lm, played in the confl ict, rights of every person. and Rwanda in New York, palling scale. lead to the confl ict as well as well as that of the media This workshop is one of the Secretary General of the as how the murders took and the United Nations. the program proposals for United Nations said: Introducing the subject of place, putting the question The most important ques- study groups from Ger- the genocide perpetrated to the participants about tion, however, is about many, which is prepared by If the United Nations, govern- against the Tutsis in Rwan- what mechanisms lead to our personal responsibil- the educational department ment offi cials, the international da into the study program such a tragedy. The fi lm, ity in relation to the envi- of the IYMC for the pro- media and other observers had at Auschwitz has the goal of based on real events, pre- ronment in which we live. ject “Remembrance about paid more attention to the gath- making participants aware sents the story of hotel What can we do in certain Auschwitz—Human Rights ering signs of disaster, and that the problem of mass manager Paul Rusesaba- situations, which we expe- in Today’s World”. taken timely action, it might murder is not exclusive to gina who saved 1,268 peo- rience on a daily basis in have been averted… None of us historical events such as ple during the genocide. It school, among peers, and Teresa Miłoń-Czepiec must ever forget, or be allowed Auschwitz, and that in the is the starting point for this on the street? The goal of to forget, that genocide did take modern world there are part of the workshop, in the workshop is assure the Age of participants: 16-18 place in Rwanda, or that it was places that we know either which the most important participants in the belief Duration: highly organized, or that it was very little or nothing about, issue is moral courage. This that every person, through Film – 2 hours carried out in broad daylight. where human life has no example shows the partici- their personal that every Workshop – 3 hours No one who followed world af- value. pants that normal people individual, through per- Leader: Teresa Miłoń-Czepiec Photo: IYMC Participants of the workshops

151413121110987654321 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010 Center for Dialogue and Prayer Foundation

IN THE SHADOW OF AUSCHWITZ: ABOUT KATYŃ, SMOLEŃSK, RUSSIA…

n May 22 at the International Center for Dialogue and Prayer, at the initiative of Fr. Manfred Deselaers a meet- Oing was held, during which probably the fi rst time in the history of this institution so much attention was paid to Sovi- et totalitarianism in the context of the Katyń massacre, and the Smoleńsk disaster, which is received by many Poles as a sym- bolic “Second Katyń”.

The meeting, “Dialogue and that was organized by Kra- living Polish witnesses of the Prayer after Katyń,” started kow’s IPN and academic Katyń massacre, he was of with a moving multimedia community, she waited in the much interest to the NKVD. Photo: CDPF performance done by stu- Katyń forest for the arrival of After the war he emigrated. In dents of Gimnazjum Number the presidential delegation. 1975, just before he published visit to Katyń by the group tha of the East. She led the or- 4 in Oświęcim, prepared by She emphasized that her fi rst his memoirs “In the Shadow from Krakow, who also wit- ganization after the death of history teacher Maria Szewc- thought upon hearing about of Katyń,” there was an at- nessed a new national trag- Father Zdzisław Peszkowski, zyk and her colleagues for an the catastrophy was: “they tempt on his life in London. edy, were also Dr. Anastasia one of those saved from the earlier commemoration of the died for the truth.” In a simi- The professor’s daughters, Oleśkiewicz and Małgorzata shot to the back of the head in planting of a Katyń oak hon- lar spirit was the fi rst SMS she Maria Nagięć from Olsztyn Ryba. Dr. Oleśkiewicz spoke the Katyń forest and a faithful oring Oświęcim policeman received from Poland: “This is and Bernadetta Szeglowska of another victim of of the memory of Michał Pachołek and other the price of the truth.” Much from Krakow described how Smoleńsk tragedy: Janusz the murdered. An unfulfi lled victims of Katyń connected to like the many who were pre- the book “In the Shadow of Kochanowski, the Human desire of Father Peszkowski Oświęcim. sent in Katyń that day, the Katyń” came to be. It turned Rights Ombudsman. A few was to be laid to rest next to Paweł Kukiz’s song “Kurica— thought did not leave her that out that the meeting at the days before his death, partici- his comrades in the Katyń nie ptica, Polsza—nie zagran- this happened on the eve of Center for Dialogue fell on the pants of the visit met him in cemetery after his death. Ms. ica,” in the form of a drunken Divine Mercy Sunday. 13th anniversary of the pro- Warsaw, in a location not cho- Przyjałkowska, fl ying with monologue of a Katyń perpe- An exceptional and unexpect- fessor’s death. Both women sen coincidentally, because it the President on April 10 had trator, was a good introduc- ed accent to the meeting was emphasized that despite his was at the Monument to those with her a vestment of Father tion for the short lecture by the attendance of Stanisław awful experiences, he never Murdered in the East. Also at- Peszkowki with the image of Dr. Krystyna Samsonowka, Swianiewicz’s daughters, one held a hatred towards Russia tending the meeting was the the Virgin Mary of Katyń. It a historian from the Krakow of those saved from the Katyń and empathized with Rus- Vice President of the Institute was supposed to be part of the branch of the Institute for Na- mass graves as well as witness sians who were forced to live of National Rememberance decoration of the Alter during tional Rememberance (IPN) of the fate of his compatriots in that inhuman system. Franciszek Gryciuk, because the Holy Mass. The vestment and the Jagiellonian Universi- up to the Gniezdovo station We learned that “In the Shad- the group was to meet with was never recovered after the ty, entitled “Katyń the Crime, near Smoleńsk. An economist ow of Katyń” will soon be its president, Janusz Kurty- catastrophe; perhaps it rests the Lie, and Rememberance”. and Soviet expert, professor of reprinted. It was to be pub- ka, after the ceremony in the in the Smoleńsk ground. It Dr. Samsonowska spoke the Vilnius University before lished with an introduction Katyń Forest on April 10. seems that this is how Father about Katyń as the founding the war, in September 1939 he by Andrzej Przewoźnik of A month before his death, J. Peszkowski was to return to lie of the Socialist Repbulic of was arrested by the Soviets. the Council for the Protection Kochanowski appealed to the his friends. Poland and the power of social April 29, 1940, he and other of Struggle and Martyrdom Minister of Education that, The shadows of Katyń and resistance against it; she also prisoners were taken by train Sites, a friend of the Families as young Israelis arrive en Smoleńsk unite, interweave wondered what Katyń means to Kozielsk. At the Gniezdo- of Katyń as well as the daugh- masse to Auschwitz and the and call to our hearts and con- for contemporary Russians, vo station, he was separated ters of Professor Swianiewicz. Israeli government does not science even more. if anything at all, because the from the others and left in Just before his tragic death in spare resources for the devel- We spoke about Katyń in present historical policy of the the car and watched through Smoleńsk, Mr. Przewoźnik opment of national identity Oświęcim at the Center for Russian authorities on this a crack, as the other offi cers informed them that the in- of its citizens this way, young Dialogue and Prayer. Will matter may arise from fear of were led away and driven to troductory text was almost Poles can visit Katyń as part a similar center ever be cre- reminding the Russian public an unknown destination. He ready. Unfortunately, after his of the school curriculum. ated in Smoleńsk? Will we be of their own countless victims did not know then that those death, neither his family nor Małgorzata Ryba reminds able to take part in a similar that reach into tens of millions. were the last moments of their coworkers were able to fi nd us of another person, whose meeting there? “There are Dr. Samsonowska also shared lives. the text. In this way, the shad- fate on April 10 was always no questions more important her feelings from April 10, Professor Swianiewicz eluded ow of Katyń was interwoven connected to Katyń: Teresa than naive questions”… when together with 48 other death two more times in So- with the shadow of Smoleńsk. Walewska-Przyjałkowska Małgorzata Ryba participants of a trip to Katyń viet Russia; as one of the only Sharing their refl ections of the from the foundation Golgo- LECTURES BY FATHER JOSEPH PEREIRA

his year the World Community for Christian Meditation in Poland invited Indian Priest, Joseph Pereira, for a series of lectures. After the lectures in Katowice, there were three-day workshops on Christian meditation Tat the Center for Dialogue and Prayer. Father Joe led them. Father Joseph Pereira was helping addicts as well as of Joga at many universities Father Joe is a long appren- born in 1942 in Vasai, India. those infected with HIV and around the world, as well tice and teacher of Christian He was ordained a Catholic suffering from AIDS. Since as zCatholic educational in- Meditation, and a member priest in September 1962. He 1968, Fr. Joe has practiced stitutions in India. He is a of the advisory board of the studied psychology, philo- Yoga according to the school consultant to the Archdio- World Community of Chris- siophy, and theology at the of B.K.S. Iyengar, which he cese of Bombay for the re- tian Meditation. Guided by Universties of Bombay and has based a series of exercis- habilitation of addicts and the principle that “grace is re- Poona as well as therapeutic es that take into account the a member of the New York alized in the fl esh” in a special studies at the Hazelden In- body position, breathing and Academy of Sciences. At the way it combines the Christian stitute in Minnesota (USA). meditation methods, which request of Mother Teresa, he faith with Indian wisdom to Father Pereira is also the are an integral part of the Krip conducted days of recollec- take into account the role of founder of the Kripa Founda- program in treating addicts. tion and retreats for the sis- the body in the way of spir- tion—the largest non-govern- Fr. Joe is a lecturer on the ters of her congregation in itual growth. Photo: CDPF mental organization in India philosophy and psychology Calcutta. (www.wccm.pl)

151413121110987654321 Historia Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010

PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL active to this day as deputy chairman of the Executive Board of the Oświęcim Mu- WANDA NOWORYTA nicipal Circle of the Union of Veterans and Former Political (BORN 1926, MARRIED NAME: SAWKIEWICZ) Prisoners. For her occupation services the same for labor details as- with prisoners or to involve- unteer work. She was very and her postwar community signed to other work in the ment in the relief effort. She active in the Polish Red Cross work, she has been honored zone around the camp. She also refused a proposal from and the Union of Former Po- with a range of decorations dropped bread and other the Gestapo that she sign the litical Prisoners, which later including the Offi cer’s Cross food items near where they Volksliste as a condition of became the Union of Fighters of the Order of Poland Re- labored, and left high-calorie her release. Wanda’s mother for Freedom and Democracy born, the Knight’s Cross of soup for them at prearranged was also arrested because of (ZBoWiD), and later the Un- the Order of Poland Reborn, places outdoors. She also gave her daughter’s activities, and ion of Veterans and Former the Victory and Freedom them medicine and money. placed in the underground Political Prisoners of the Re- Medal, the Grunwald Insig- Aside from material aid, she “Death Block” cells in Febru- public of Poland, holding nia, the Oświęcim Cross, and the Insignia for Services to the Born on November 5, 1926 in helped them to stay in touch ary, 1943, while Wanda was leadership positions in these Bielsko Województwo. Lędziny, Tychy powiat, she is with their homes, taking their still there. The Gestapo re- organizations. She remains the daughter of the Oświęcim secret messages and mailing leased her mother two weeks natives Antoni and Rozalia, or delivering them in person later. Wanda’s parents did née Połącarz. She attended to their families. Sometimes, everything they could to get VESTIGES OF HISTORY primary school in her home- prisoners’ relatives were una- her out of Auschwitz. With town before the outbreak ware, before Wanda’s contact, the help of acquaintances, FROM THE COLLECTIONS of the war, and was also ac- that they were in Auschwitz. they fi nally managed to bribe OF THE AUSCHWITZ MUSEUM tive in the scouts. During the Wanda carried return letters some Gestapo members, and war, her parents refused to from families to the prison- this is probably what led to sign the Volksliste. As part of ers. She also helped to convey Wanda’s release on March 19, “Shoes… ah, shoes were a special chapter the persecution of Poles, the clandestine material out of 1943. Under orders to imme- in the history of the camp. Shoes, the most family had to leave Lędziny. the camp from the resistance diately fi nd employment, she important part of the prisoners’ uniform,” They moved to Dwory, near movement inside. There were took a job at the hospital in Oświęcim, in February 1940. even occasions when she ar- Oświęcim and worked there writes former prisoner of Auschwitz and In Dwory, Wanda Noworyta ranged secret direct meetings until the end of the war. Ravensbrück, Maria Jezierska. took part in the underground in the camp zone between After the war, she worked in work of the , prisoners and their relatives. the Oświęcim Chemical Plant, Shoes could save the life of a under the pseudonym “Pro- The Gestapo arrested her on and later in the Cracow Phar- prisoner, or they could also myczek.” She risked her life December 4, 1942 for her ef- macy Board. While working, become a form of torture. to help Auschwitz prisoners. forts in relation to the pris- she completed her secondary Heavy wooden shoes, scrap- Her fi rst contacts with them oners, and sent her to the education. In 1953, she mar- ing to the blood, were an ad- involved prisoners laboring underground cells of Block ried Eugeniusz Sawkiewicz, ditional torment for the pris- at the construction of the IG no. 11, the “Death Block,” in and they had two children. oners. Many did not receive Farbenindustrie chemical Auschwitz. Despite brutal While juggling her work, any shoes at all. “Roll call in plant in 1941. She began giv- interrogation, she refused school, and domestic duties, April barefoot and work in ing them food, and then did to admit to having contacts she also found time for vol- the fi elds barefoot—it was a simple result: the crematori- um,” says the same author. In the fi rst and second instances FROM GANOBIS’S CABINET help could come in the form of canvas shoes or socks, if the material was available. Photo: Collections Depatment, A-BSM REMARKABLE STONES Slippers made of camp blan- Shoes made from the camp blanket kets were created in the Auschwitz camp by Soviet sidered sabotage and “was here are remarkable places in our town in which you can fi nd prisoners of war. They were a great crime (…), but some donated to the collections de- kind of gloves, slippers were unusual souvenirs from times more or less distant. Howev- partment by former prisoner made… frost, and only thin er, we do not pay attention to them, even though they are so H. Rostafi ńska-Choynowska dresses and shirts,” writes Ms. T Rostafińska-Choynowska. close to us around Oświęcim. If we walk by them indifferently then, (most probably Helena), but I think that they can disappear quickly. they belonged to her hus- You had the choice of either band, who was also a pris- being punished or having your feet frozen off. My latest relic comes from bunker. I found the piece of the river Soła. On these river oner at the camp. Most prob- ably, they both were sent to The slippers visible on the pic- the area around the former granite with dimensions of stones an Oświęcim painter ture were sewn from a beige German bunker on the main 18x18 cm, which covered the immortalized landscapes of Auschwitz after the in August of 1944. blanket, and their edges, toes, square in Oświęcim. Here, ceiling of the bunker and was our town. This original idea and heels were covered in among others, are two gran- supposed to absorb a pos- captures the eye. Transports that arrived in the summer at the camp received a more “decorative” material ite cobblestones. These are sible bomb explosion. The I am still trying to acquire a with a colorful pattern. One similar to those that the old stones along with the metal paving stone from the old summer shoes. “Later it was ‘forgotten,’ that these should of the shoes has a piece of ad- square and surrounding rebar, photographs from the cement factory “Eisen— ditional, strengthening leath- streets were paved with. The time of bunker’s construc- Beter Betoniarnia,” which be changed for winter ones once the summer passed,” er. The sole was made from Germans, building the bun- tion, while it stood on the existed in our town before a thicker brown blanket with ker during the occupation square to the moment of its the German occupation. Lo- remembers Jezierska. The prisoners tried to organize a different texture. had to remove them, but a dismantling form a kind of cal inhabitants walk over The collections department few of them remained in the historical whole. Some of these stones and probably any kind of clothing for them- selves, that would protect also has a single glove that these items I decided to do- nobody pays any attention to belonged to the same person, nate to the Museum in the them, but they are also part them from the frost and, at the same time, save their life. also made in the camp out Oświęcim castle. Nearly eve- of this history of our town of a blanket. Both the shoes ry resident of Oświęcim was that should be saved for fu- The Russian who had sewn these slipper, made more of and the glove were so valu- glad that the large former ture generations, just like the able to their owner that he German behemoth had gone; stones from the local area. them, selling them for ciga- rettes. This type of “merchan- decided to keep them and but still, nowhere in Europe Today the stones stand side following his death, his wife was there a similar structure by side, and by them, pic- dise” in the camp was worth its weight in gold. They pro- donated them to the Mu- in the middle of a city’s main tures from those places and seum. square. The bunker was part those times—but only in tected against the cold and scrapes. This was a proce- Agnieszka Sieradzka of the town’s history—but such a way can I save them Collections Department not of the positive kind. from being forgotten and dure that led to severe pun- ishments. The destruction A-BSM Photo: M. Ganobis’s archive Stones of great interest in my bring their history closer. of blankets—“property of Remarkable stones collection are also those from Mirosław Ganobis the Third Reich”—was con-

1413121110987654321 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 18, June 2010 Photographer

Homage was paid to the victims of Mauthausen, Gusen and Ebensee camps. A group from Auschwitz Memorial led by the deputy director Rafał Pióro took part in the events of the 65th anniversary of liberation together with survivors, PHOTO JOURNAL members of diplomatic corps, youth and honorary assist of Polish army soldiers. Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel

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